Predetermining counter switch



Sept. 26, 1967 N. B. WALES, JR., ETAL 3,343,739

PREDETERMINING COUNTER SWITCH Filed Nov. 1e, 1966 s sheets-sheet 1 N. B. WALES, JR., ETAL 3,343,789

PREDETERMINING COUNTER SWITCH I sept. ze, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 16, 1966 wm. KN 5N mN Sept- 26, 1967 N. B. WALES, JR., ETAL 3,343,789

PREDETERMINING COUNTER SWITCH ff 27 Ye jaa/if 29Y 27 W J/ INVENTQR United States Patent 3,343,789 PREDETERMINING CUNTER SWITCH Nathaniel B. Wales, Jr., New York, N.Y. (48 Park Ave., Fair Haven, NJ. 07702), and Charles B. Grady, Jr., 1 Ridgeway Ave., West Orange, NJ. 07052 Filed Nov. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 594,743 3 Claims. (Cl. 23S- 132) This inventionrelates to an accessory device for multiple dial electromechanical counters, which device may `be set to actuate an electrical control switch after a predetermined number l of counts by said counter.

The conventional type of counter for which the subject invention is an accessory, comprises a plurality of coaxial counting wheels mounted side by side to represent lascending orders of digits (generally decimal), and is provided with a carry pinion between each order. Each carry pinion engages discontinuous gearing teeth on the lower order counting wheel at the pinions driven end, while it engages a continuous circle of gearing on the higher order counting Wheel, or dial, at the pinions driving end, whereby to advance discontinuously the higher order wheel by one unit for each full revolution of the lower order Wheel. Thus, each cylindrical counting Wheel has a full set of gear teeth on one side and a small segment of carry teeth on the other side. Such counters may be provided with a ratchet or star wheel connected to its lowest order wheel, and also provided with an electromagnet to drive the lowest order wheel through the ratchet or star wheel by one digit for each electrical input pulse. It is also conventional to provide a reset mechanism which rst disengages the carry pinions from the counter Wheels, and then resets the wheels to Zero, generally using a heart shaped cam with a comb of reset fingers. This reset action may be eiected either manually through a push member, or by a remotely controlled electromagnet.

In the prior art of predetermining switches, it has been common practice to provide a plurality of coaxial setting dials arranged on an axis parallel to and above the axis of the counting dials, and each provided with a gear normally meshing with the counter wheel gear below it,

gears after they have been cleared to Zero. Simultaneously,

the setting detents are disengaged, and a seeking roller is pressed into contact with the periphery of each setting wheel to wait for the count value of the counter at which a single cam depression in each settingwheel simultaneously lines up, allowing the multiple roller-seeking bail to `move into all the aligned cam depressions. The foregoing seeking motion is arranged to actuate the switch, since the hlignment of the seeking cam depressions signals the arrival of the predetermined count.

The foregoing mechanism and current practice have several disadvantages, the principal one of which is that the number displayed on the foregoing setting wheels corresponds to the desired predetermined count only at the moment of setting, and as soon as the counting begins it changes to a series of relatively meaningless numbers.` VAnother disadvantage is that a complex control device must be provided to change the mode of the device from counting to setting by effecting disengagement of the gear teeth and engagement of the multiple detents. A third problem encountered in present predetermining devices is that the setting dials are so close together that it requires delicate manipulation to set one wheel without disturbing the adjacent wheels.

The present invention overcomes these diiiculties, and aifords a more reliable device, by teaching the use of a differential gear train for each counting wheel in such a way that the gear of each counting wheel forms one angular input to said differential, while the gear of each setting Wheel forms the second angular input to said differential. Consequently, the differential pinion carrier of such a gear train will move with an angular displacement which is equal to one half of the algebraic sum of the two angular input displacements, For this reason, a rotary cam surface secured to the foregoing differential pinion carrier and which has two switch actuating contours located apart, will be in a position to operate such a switch once in every revolution of either the counter gear or of the setting wheel gear.

It may be seen that such a novel configuration never requires disengagement of any gears for setting, and, in fact, the setting may be done while counting is in progress, since no mode control is required. In addition, the setting dials at all times indicate the value of the predetermined count for which the switch is set, since it is the differential carrier which moves to trip the switch.

A feature of this invention is to provide a staggered array of ratchet levers, one for each setting wheel, so that each setting dial can be easily set without interference with the adjacent staggered, hence more widely diagonally spaced, setting Wheels control levers. The preferred form of the invention also discloses a novel transparent guard member which prevents inadvertent or unauthorized operation of the setting control levers until this guard member is swung `out of the way, while permitting observation of the predetermined count member even when locked.

The disclosed design provides a latching mechanism in which, once the predetermined count is achieved, the switch remains tripped, even though the counter continues to operate. Only when the counter is manually or magnetically reset will the switch be reset. This reset operation also restores the system for readiness to start a new predetermining cycle for whatever count the setting wheels are adjusted.

'I'he principal object of the present invention is to provide a design of predetermining counter switch mechanism which is reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and which will continuously display the predetermining count, while being compatible with existing counters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a predetermining counter switch design in which no gearing need be disengaged between the counter and switching mechanism, and whereby the predetermining count can be changed and reset while the counter is operating.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a design of predetermining counter switch in which the setting dials may be conveniently set by a system of ratcheting setting levers arranged in a staggered array whereby to increase the mutually adjacent control lever spacing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an accessory to be attached to multiple dial electromagnetic counters for operating a switch at a predetermined value of counting as set into a plurality of setting dials, in which the said counting dials and said setting dials are coupled by a corresponding plurality of differentialgearing trains, and in which the said switch is tripped into stable actuationl by the combined output of said differential gear trains.

For other objects, and 4a clearer understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed specification, to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a side view in elevational section of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the predetermining switch unit mounted on top of a conventional multiple dial counter as described in the prefatory introduction of this application; FIGURE 2 is an upward view through 2-2 of FIGURE 1, the two highest orders of differential carriers being broken away to show the seeking roller comb; FIG- URE 3 is a frontal view through 3-3 of FIGURE 1 being broken away to reveal various details in depth; and FIGURE 4 is a transverse section through 4-4 of FIG- URE 1, looking toward the front of the counter from behind the switch position.

Referring to the drawings, the conventional counter frame 10, as described in the preface to this application, is seen to have a plurality of coaxial counting wheels or dials 11, mounted on a shaft 12 secured to frame 17, each wheel 11 having a full gear 13 on its lower order (right) side together with a heart shaped reset cam 14. The conventional counter carry pinions and drive ratchet and magnet are not shown, but the reset button member 15 and its integral magnet-operated actuating stud 16 are shown to illustrate the switch resetting cooperation with these parts.

The predetermining switch unit frame 17 is made of plastic and has an integral shelf 18 on which is mounted a single pole double Apole snap switch 19, by means of screws 20. The actuating button for switch 19 is designated 21. Frame 17 is suitably secured to the top of counter frame such as by screws.

The terminals 22 of switch 19 are electrically connected to corresponding terminal pins 23 by leads 24, and contact pins 23 are in turn secured to frame 17.

A plurality of coaxial adjacent plastic setting wheels 25, freely mounted on a shaft 26, are each integrally provided with a ratchet wheel 27 on one side (lower order), and a gear 28 on the other side (upper order).

A plurality of detenting ratchet levers 29, one for each setting wheel 25 and lying in the plane of ratchet wheel 27 are coaxially mounted on a shaft 30 secured to frame 17. iEachsetting wheel 25 is also provided with a setting lever 31 in the plane of ratchet wheel 27, and each is pivoted on a common shaft 32 secured to frame 17.

A spring 33 extends between an anchor hole in each lever 31 and lan anchor hole in each lever 29, thereby providing a counterclockwise (FIG. 1) bias torque for each lever.

Setting lever 31 is provided with a spring metal driving pawl 34, and is so shaped as both to retain pawl 34 and to form positive stops which contact a tooth of ratchet wheel 27 at each end of its stroke, whereby to destroy any terminal momentum, and to prevent overshoot.

Each setting lever 31 is provided with either an upper operating tab 35 or a lower operating tab 36 (but not both). It may be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 that these tabs, 35 and 36, are installed in an alternate staggered manner so as to provide a maximum spacing for ease in manually setting the `relatively closely spaced setting wheels 25.

A plastic transparent cover guard plate 37 is pivoted about a hinge pin 38 secured to frame 17, and is provided with staggered apertures to receive and cover tabs 35 and 36 in its upright position. This cover 37 protects tabs 35 and 36 from .inadvertent operation, while permitting the reading of the number to which wheels 25 are set. A lock may also be provided to prevent unauthorized change in the setting of wheels 25. Plate 37 is swung down to the dotted position shown in FIG. l for setting wheels 25.

'I'he gear 13 on each counter wheel 11, and the gear 28 on each corresponding setting wheel 25 are coupled together by a differential gear train consisting of: one input gear 39 freely mounted on a shaft 40 yand secured to frame 17, and meshing with setting wheel gear 28; and a second input gear 41, also freely mounted on shaft 40 and meshing with counter wheel gear 13. All the gears 13,

4 28, 39, and 41 have the same pitch, and pitch diameter.

The dierential plastic input gears 39 and 41 each are provided with integral equal bevel lgears 42 and 43 Vrespectively (FIG. 3) which, in turn, mesh with three differential bevel pi-nions 44 which are journalled on axes apart between the plastic split differential pinion carriers 45. The two halves of the pinion carrier 45 are secured together by rivets 46, and are also journalled on shaft 40 between the input gears 39 and 41. Differential carrier 45 is provided with two semi circula-r cam depressions 47 located at 180 on the periphery of its cam surface.

Each cam surface of carriers 45 is followed by a moulded seeking roller 48, a corresponding plurality .of which are journalled in a moulded seeking comb bail 49. Bail 49 has an arm at each end by means of which it is freely pivoted on shaft 30, along with levers 29.

A latching lever 50 is freely journalled on shaft 32 and is provided with a linger 51 for operating the switch button 21, and with an ear 52 for supporting a pivot stud 53, on which a sear member 54 is journalled. A light torque spring 55 (FIG. 4) biases sear 54 in the clockwise position as seen in FIG. 1.

During the manual or remote resetting of counter clearing slide 15, lever 50 is moved from the solid-line tripped position of FIG. l to the dotted-line position. 'Il-iis clearing action moves sear 54 and seeking bail 49 with its cam following rollers 48 from their solid line position to the dotted line position, thereby actuating switch 19 by linger 51, and allowing sear 54 to drop in behind a ridge 55 integral with the seeking bail 49, thereby stably latching lever 50 in its switch depressing position. Switch 19 is provided with an internal spring which tends to expel button 21. This force is transferred by sear 54 to bail 49 and rollers 48, thereby urging the latter to follow the' cam surface of carrier 45. Y A

As long as any one of the rollers 48 is excluded from entering a cam depression 47 the lever 50 and switch 19 will be locked in a latched position. However, when all of the number wheels 11 register a composite number exactly equal to the setting of the setting wheels 25, one Iof the two cam depressions 47 in each differential carrief 45 will register with each of the cam follower wheels 48, thereby removing ridge 55 of bail 49 from latching relation to sear 54, and permitting lever 50 to move to its solid line unlatched position (FIG. 1). The resulting change in condition of switch 19 is the output signal by means of which the device indicates that the predetermined number of input impulses has been received.

The operation of the predetermining switch unit of this invention is as follows:

Counter reset slide 15 is moved to its clearing position, thereby latching arm 50 Ain its switch actuating condition, and clearing all counter dials 11 to zero indication. Cover 37 is then opened and the tabs 35 or 36 are depressed one by one, each being given a number of reciprocations against springs 33 necessary to ratchet their corresponding setting wheels 25 to the desired predetermining count number. Cover 37 is returned to the vertical position, and the counter 10` is enabled to receive electrical pulse inputs.

The phasing of gears 11, 28, 39, 41 and of carrier 45 wit-h its cam depressions 47 is made to be such during manufacture that when all of wheels 11 and 25 register Zero, a set of depressions 47 will exactly align with the cam followers 48, thereby unlatching lever 50 and switch 19.

For this reason, with the counter reading zero, if any one or more of wheels 25 is set for a number other than zero, depressing of reset slide 15 will be able to latch lever 50, since one or more cam depressions `47 will be out of registration with its follower roller 48.

It is characteristic of differential gearing that the differential Icarrier (45) moves angularly by one-half the angulation of either of its input gears (13 or 28 or 39 or 41). Consequently, by providing two depressions 47 at 180 around the periphery of carrier 45, it follows that lonce per revolution of either counter wheel 11 or setting wheel 25 a cam "depression will register with its follower 48. In FIG. 3 it may lbe seen that the numbers progress in opposite directions of rotation on wheels 11 with respect to wheels 25.

It follows from an examination of the differential gear ing that increasing numbers on the setting wheels 25 produces an opposite direction of rotation of carrier 45 from that produced by increasing numbers on the counting wheels 11. For this reason, whatever displacement from its follower 48 of a cam depression 47 is caused by a seting of a wheel 25, will be restored (by angular subtraction) when the corresponding counting wheel 11 has progressed by the same number to which the setting wheel was set.

The device described will therefore count to the predetermined setting in wheels 25, and, due to the consequent simultaneous alignment of all followers 38 with cam depression 47, will release bail 49 and trip lever 50 and switch 19 to the unlatched position. It is to -be noted that this tripping action permanently relieves bail 49 from pressure or constraint until slide resets the device. For this reason, the counter is permitted to continue counting, without interruption after the predetermined switch unit has been tripped.

Many variations will occur to Ithose skilled in the art within the scope of this invention. This scope is defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A predetermining switching device for electromagnetic counters having coaxial adjacent geared counting wheels and a moveable reset member, comprising:

a plurality of coaxial adjacent numbered geared setting `wheels corresponding to said counting wheels, and having their axis parallel thereto;

a plurality of differential carrier members corresponding to said counter wheels and journalled on an axis parallel to said counter wheels;

gearing means for each of said carrier members, said gearing means engaging Iboth said geared counter wheels and said geared setting wheels to move each said carrier member in differential relation to the angulations vof its said counter wheel and of its said setting wheel, whereby any said carrier member in moved angularly -by an amount equally proportional in magnitude and direction to the angular displacement of either its said geared counting wheel or of its said geared setting wheel;

a spring biased two position electric switch; and

means responsive to a predetermined alignment in angular phase of all said carrier members to actuate said switch.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which each said gearing means includes:

a first gear journalled coaxially with said carrier members and engaging the gear of a corresponding counter wheel in a one to one ratio;

a `first bevel gear coaxial with and secured to each said first gear;

a second gear journalled coaxially with said carrier members, and engaging the gear of a corresponding setting wheel in a one -to one ratio;

a second bevel gear coaxial with and secured to each said second gear; and

at least one bevel pinion journalled on each said carrier member, said bevel pinion engaging both said first and said second bevel gears.

3. A device according to claim 1 in which said means responsive to a predetermined alignment in phase of all said carrier members includes:

a seeking bail pivoted on an axis parallel to the axis of said carrier members;

a plurality of rollers each corresponding to a carrier member, each said roller being coaxially journalled on said seeking bail, and capable of rolling contact with the periphery of its carrier member;

a trip lever member pivoted on an axis parallel to the axis of said carrier members, said lever 'being in operating contact with said switch, and in such relation to said counter moveable reset member that the dislplacement of the latter to its reset position will overcome the spring of said switch and cause it to change its electrical switching position;

a scar member pivoted on said trip lever and capable of lat-ching engagement with said seeking bail whereby the force of said switch spring is transmitted through said Itrip lever and said sear to urge said seeking bail rollers to press against all of said carrier members; and

a pair of cam depressions located diametrically opposite one another on the periphery of each said carrier member, whereby the parallel alignment of one said cam depression in all of said carriers with the line of contact of said rollers will unla-tch said sear and actuate said switch to its uncompressed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,137,013 l1/1938 Bradley 23S-132 2,904,251 9/ 1959 Hazard et al 235--132 2,935,256 5/1960 Burton 23S-132 2,954,925 10/1960 IBliss et al 235--132 3,125,291 3/1964 'Komatar 235-132 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner. STANLEY A. WAL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PREDETERMINING SWITCHING DEVICE FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTERS HAVING COAXIAL ADJACENT GEARED COUNTING WHEELS AND A MOVEABLE RESET MEMBER, COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF COAXIAL ADJACENT NUMBERED GEARED SETTING WHEELS CORRESPONDING TO SAID COUNTING WHEELS, AND HAVING THEIR AXIS PARALLEL THERETO; A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER MEMBERS CORRESPONDING TO SAID COUNTER WHEELS AND JOURNALLED ON AN AXIS PARALLEL TO SAID COUNTER WHEELS; GEARING MEANS FOR EACH OF SAID CARRIER MEMBERS, SAID GEARING MEANS ENGAGING BOTH SAID GEARED COUNTER WHEELS AND SAID GEARED SETTING WHEELS TO MOVE EACH SAID CARRIER MEMBER IN DIFFERENTIAL RELATION TO THE ANGULATIONS OF ITS SAID COUNTER WHEEL AND OF ITS SAID SETTING WHEEL, WHEREBY ANY SAID CARRIER MEMBER IN MOVED ANGULARLY BY AN AMOUNT EQUALLY PROPORTIONAL IN MAGNITUDE AND DIRECTION TO THE ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT OF EITHER ITS SAID GEARED COUNTING WHEEL OR OF ITS SAID GEARED SETTING WHEEL; A SPRING BIASED TWO POSITION ELECTRIC SWITCH; AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A PREDETERMINED ALIGNMENT IN ANGULAR PHASE OF ALL SAID CARRIER MEMBERS TO ACTUATE SAID SWITCH. 